Blackbird Cafe offers a tempting array of contemporary cuisine and Latin-inspired dishes.

Blackbird Cafe sits in California Heights in a building that doesn’t seem like it would have a restaurant inside of it. Nestled in next to computer repair shop and across from other businesses, there is a small waiting area outside that was full the day we ventured out.

We were sat quickly and the host was endearing and friendly. The menu itself was interesting, and contained several delicious looking items. It is almost impossible not to have your curiosity piqued by the Benedict list and while sitting there, you will notice so many delicious looking dishes being carried out, it becomes daunting to make a decision on what to order! 

Read the rest of Blackbird Cafe Spices Up Breakfast for Diners in California Heights

Photo by appleswitch

On Saturday, April 23rd, 2011, at approximately 5:18 am, officers from the Long Beach Police Department responded to the intersection of Orange Avenue and Carson Street regarding an injury traffic collision where a vehicle collided with a pole.

On arrival, officers located the driver of the vehicle, A 1995 Dodge Caravan, and began medical aid. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and continued life saving procedures. Unfortunately the driver, who has been identified as Ruperto B. Cinco, a 59-year-old resident of Long Beach, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other passengers in the vehicle.

Read the rest of Early Morning Traffic Accident Results In Fatality

This is a FREE community event sponsored by the Green Team Environmental Clubs of Hughes Middle School and Longfellow Elementary. The Green Teams have set a goal to gather 12 tons of material! They need you!

The Drive will feature two drive-through drop-off stations: one for e-waste and one for documents (documents will be shredded immediately on-site). The e-waste station will take broken or obsolete electronics including computers, printers, monitors, and TV’s. The document station will take old files, binders, brochures, and sensitive materials including tax documents for immediate and secure shredding.

Read the rest of Local Green Teams Hosting Community E-Waste And Doc Shredding Drive

“I like to use simple, subtle, and flavorful ingredients to enhance the natural flavors of seafood,” notes Jason Stein, Executive Chef of Parkers’ Lighthouse. With an abundance of species to work with that are all delivered daily from local purveyors, he prides himself on his individuality in the preparation of his dishes, which include fresh wild Alaskan fish, local day boat caught fish, and Hawaii’s freshest fish. When he is not directing the fast-paced, high volume kitchen, he is visiting local farmers’ markets to see what is at the season’s best.

Read the rest of Executive Chef Jason Stein, of Parkers’ Lighthouse is featured “Chef at the Market” Sunday

Right now at the market you will find the best locally grown citrus, including the perennial favorite tangerines! Known in California as Cuties, these seedless, easy to peel orbs are at the top of their game-as well as all kinds of lemons, limes, oranges, pomelos and grapefruit.

It’s also the beginning of strawberry season, strawberries will grow year round here in So Cal, but they love sunny days and cool nights. Early spring is when they taste best. When it gets hot you have to water more and that washes out the flavor!

Read the rest of LB Sunday Market: Fresh food and fresh events

7th and 8th District Council Members Tonia Reyes Uranga and Rae Gabelich will host the meeting and welcome guest speaker Long Beach Police Department North Division Commander Hendricks. Safety meeting topics will include:

• how citizen involvement can help city officials and the police department keep the community safe and secure.
• updates on recent activities, neighborhood watch and security precautions will be presented and discussed.

Read the rest of Community safety meetings urge Bixby, Cal Heights residents to get involved

We’re closing out the first month of the new year at the Long Beach Sunday Market this week. Our vendors are bringing the best in local food to California Heights so come hungry! And, don’t forget Valentine’s Day is just two weeks away. Check out the handmade and vintage items available from the Arts and Crafts booths.

Here is an edited selection of what you can expect at the Market this week.

Culinary Coach Menu for Sunday January 31st

• Pork or Chicken Banh Mi
• Thai Chicken Basil Coconut Milk Soup,  Gai Tom Kha
• Scrambled egg, bacon and home fries – for the kids
• Tri tip sandwich with fresh slaw
• Egg sandwich with bacon, egg, frisee, gorgonzola
• Egg sandwich with sausage and Carmelized Visalia Onion
• Omelet-homemade sausage, Pecorino Cheese, Chili Garlic Spread

Visit Gregg and Marlyn this Sunday and try one of their delicious offerings!  The sandwiches are generously portioned and come with fruit and home fries.  You might have to share.

Read the rest of Fresh Today at the Farmer’s Market

There are 4 candidates vying for the 7th District Council seat: Jill Hill (www.jillhillforqualityneighborhoods.com), James Johnson (www.johnsonforcitycouncil.com), Jack Smith (www.justvotejack.org) and write-in candidate Tonia Reyes-Uranga (www.longbeach.gov/District7). All the candidates have been invited to attend. Alan Tolfkoff, long time leader at the Wrigley Association, will server as moderator at the forum.

Read the rest of 7th District Council Candidates to square off in forum Monday.

“Trees soften our urban landscape, provide shade, improve air quality and offer a more inviting shopping and business environment,” explained John Royce, president of the California Heights Neighborhood Association.

In addition to beautifying the neighborhood, local Boy Scout Gregory Reilly will achieve Eagle Scout ranking for his efforts to plan and see the tree-planting project through to fruition.

Read the rest of Tree Planting: Eagle Scout project will complete the tree-scape in Bixby Knolls

The Long Beach Sunday Market opens this weekend and every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in California Heights, at Bixby Road and California Avenue.

The market’s theme is sustainability — of the neighborhood schools, the environment, and of community and civic engagement. The market’s fundraising goals also go to support green initiatives in local schools.

Read the rest of Long Beach Sunday Market opens this weekend

Finalists will be selected by popular vote with one team from each city moving forward to compete for the grand prize of $10,000.

Read the rest of Cal Heights couple competes to be the Ultimate Thailand Explorers

Read the rest of WLLB serves breakfast in Bixby Knolls

Animal Control Officers have already increased patrols in the morning and evening when coyotes are most active and will be following-up with residents reporting incidents where coyotes have approached adults in an aggressive manner or approached areas where children were present.  

Your help is needed to keep pets indoors and to remove attractants that draw coyotes to the area.  

Read the rest of Animal Control respond to Bixby Knolls Coyotes with stepped up patrols

Read the rest of Residential Alert for Cal Heights

Several hundred participants attended the recent Visioning Session at the Petroleum Club, presented by Hyett Palma Consultants, sponsored by the City of Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, 8th District Council Office and the BKBIA.

Join Councilwoman Rae Gabelich and your neighbors to hear the results from the enhancement study on Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 pm at the Petroleum Club, 3636 Linden Avenue. Learn more about the suggested strategy to shape the future of the Bixby Knolls community!

For more information email Avater_Winborne@longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-5232. View a flyer for the event.

The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble, which includes the talents of Kirill Sokolov, Evgeny Vishnevsky and Vadim Smantser, has been performing in churches throughout the United States since 2002. The men met during the late 90’s at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where they were all studying choral conducting. Their concerts reflect their culture and heritage, with a balance of sacred songs, by Russian composers, and Russian folk songs.

Their travels to the U.S. this time, bring with them world renowned accordion player Alexander Korbakov, who will be performing as a soloist as well as with the trio ensemble on select pieces. While here in the States, the Ensemble also enjoys visiting schools to do assemblies, not only to share their music but also to share with the kids traditional Russian musical instruments. Mark your calendar for an afternoon of beautiful Russian sacred music and fun folk music.

There will be a free-will offering taken. Child care is provided.

Watch a preview of the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble in this YouTube video:

The California heights Neighborhood Association is hosting a field trip to Hollywood to see a taping of the TV Show, The Doctors! And some fine looking doctors they are! This fundraiser benefits the good people and honorable work of our very own Food Finders Feeding People, Giving Hope

Food Finders is a local non-profit organization that feeds hungry area families. Sadly, in the current economy, they need more help than ever! We need to fill some last minute empty seats on the bus! So hop on board with your neighbors and make some new friends.

If all forty seats are filled, it will raise enough cash to pay Food Finder’s fuel bill for their delivery trucks for an entire month!

There is no cost to you! All you need to do is show up. The show’s producers will pay CHNA to bring you to the studio, and we will turn all funds raised to Food Finders, in appreciation for the fine work they do to feed hungry people in our communities.

The bus will leave at approximately 7:00 am, this Friday, April 24th and will leave the studio for the return trip
at approximately 1:00 pm. You will be part of an interactive studio audience! Participants must be 18 or over. Dress code is office casual, no bold patterns or bright colors, please.

Contact Kimberly Peterson and RSVP by noon Tuesday via email at petsit@earthlink.net or call (562) 857-7387.